RSE workers from Samoa working in Bostock orchard, Hastings. Photo: RNZ / Anusha Bradley

Samoa’s government is anticipating hundreds of new seasonal work opportunities abroad for its citizens over the next year or two.

The Minister of Commerce, Industry and Labour, Lautafi Fio Selafi Purcell, has predicted at least 600 new seasonal job openings for Samoans in New Zealand.

That comes as New Zealand looks to increase the cap on numbers of seasonal workers by over 3000 to 16,000 over the next two years.

Samoa has about 2500 workers on New Zealand’s Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme.

Lautafi is also enthused about new opportunities in Australia’s Pacific Labour Scheme, Talamua reports.

Two-hundred Samoans are to be interviewed for possible recruitment and could join 55 Samoans already working in Australia under the scheme.

The scheme is separate from Australia’s Seasonal Workers Programme, which currently provides 648 jobs for Samoans.

Another 100 Samoan workers were expected to join the programme soon, Lautafi said.